Creative Lead, Influencer Marketing

(Full-Time, Remote — US & Canada applicants welcome)

About The Shelf

We’re a fast-growing influencer marketing agency that builds data-driven, culturally relevant campaigns. Our content is trend-driven, social-first, and powered by our Optimization Flywheel—delivering measurable impact for brands while giving creators the freedom to shine.

About the Role

We’re looking for a Creative Lead, Influencer Marketing—a creative strategist who understands the inner workings of influencer campaigns and knows how to transform brand objectives into high-performing, social-first content.

This is not just a “creative ideas” role. We’re seeking someone with a deep understanding of influencer marketing campaigns (whether through direct management, creative strategy, or a related role) who can pair strategic expertise with sharp creative instincts. You’ll be the bridge between strategic goals and creative execution, ensuring our content is set up for success.

Core Responsibilities

Creative Strategy & Concepting

Lead brainstorms to develop social-first, trend-driven creative concepts for influencer campaigns.

Build custom content briefs, shot lists, scripts, and art direction that balance storytelling with brand objectives.

• Evaluate influencer content for performance drivers—signature shticks, hooks, brand integration, pacing—and deliver actionable feedback that strengthens the story arc.

Review influencer concepts to ensure content is optimized for success, providing actionable feedback that elevates their creative.

• Apply the right creative lens depending on the client’s industry and strategy (e.g., fashion may call for editorial, cinematic storytelling, while CPG may require playful, trend-led, social-first content).

Client & Influencer Partnership

Present creative concepts and strategies to clients with confidence and clarity.

Serve as the go-to creative contact on assigned accounts, ensuring client alignment and strong creative execution.

Join creative calls with influencers to brainstorm, refine, and enhance content ideas.

• Review influencer deliverables with a sharp eye for what makes content authentic, engaging, and entertaining.

Campaign Integration

Collaborate with account management, paid, and insights teams to ensure creative vision is executed seamlessly.

Maintain consistency of narrative, tone, and quality across all campaign deliverables.

Incorporate best practices for each platform to maximize content performance.

• Support influencer sourcing when needed by reviewing or recommending creators, applying a keen eye for style, vibe, storytelling ability, and brand fit.

Operational Leadership

Contribute to process improvements, leveraging AI tools to enhance creative workflows.

• Manage multiple campaigns simultaneously, maintaining a high standard of quality and timeliness.

Experience & Expectations

• 3–5 years of experience in influencer marketing or creative strategy (agency experience strongly preferred).
  
Demonstrated ability to lead client-facing creative conversations.

Strong portfolio of social-first creative work (non-“adsy,” engaging, authentic).

Strategic thinker able to translate data, audience insights, and platform best practices into actionable creative.

Deep understanding of creative across social-first platforms and current trends.

Exceptional communication skills with clients, creators, and internal teams.

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively to deliver results.

Bonus Points For:

Experience with humor- or skit-based content (many of our top-performing campaigns are comedy-driven).

• Familiarity with AI tools, Google Slides, and project management platforms.

What Success Looks Like

Clients and team view you as a trusted creative partner who elevates the work (and our brands) through sharp creative execution.

Influencers consistently deliver content that feels authentic, entertaining, and high-performing.

Campaign creative runs smoothly across teams, meeting both brand and performance KPIs.

You balance strategic rigor with creative flair—never “flighty creative,” but always inspiring.

You apply the right creative lens across industries, knowing when to be aspirational, humorous, or hyper-social-first.

• You help identify creators who not only match the brand but also deliver best-in-class, scroll-stopping content.

Application Requirements

To be considered, applicants must include:

Resume & LinkedIn profile link

Personal statement highlighting creative strategy + influencer experience

Portfolio showcasing social-first creative work

Overview of past client-facing & influencer campaign experience

• Current location
• Expected compensation